10

TLE
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Organic Agriculture
TLE– Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Title
First Edition, 2020

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Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from
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ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor MagtolisBriones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Jovie E. Abaa, Auzzy Calibo
Editors: Name
Reviewers: Name
Illustrator: Name
Layout Artist:Name
Management Team: Dr. Isabelita M. Borres, CESO III
Eugenio B. Penales, Ed. D
Sonia D. Gonzales
Name of CID Chief
Name of Division EPS In Charge of LRMS
Name of Division ADM Coordinator

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education –Region IX

Office Address: ____________________________________________

____________________________________________
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E-mail Address: ____________________________________________
 10

TLE
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Title

Organic Agriculture
(SPECIALIZATION)
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the (TLE 10) Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

Organic Agriculture 10.

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by

educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the
teacher or facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic
constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore,
this also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while
taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing
them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to
encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the
module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the TLE 10 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

(Organic Agriculture )!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often
used to depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn,
create and accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies
that you as a learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the
relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic
success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and
time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource
while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to This will give you an idea of the skills or

Know competencies you are expected to learn
in the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims

to check what you already know about
the lesson to take. If you get all the
answers correct (100%), you may decide
to skip this module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you

link the current lesson with the previous
one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such
as a story, a song, a poem, a problem
opener, an activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion

of the lesson. This aims to help you
discover and understand new concepts
and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding
and skills of the topic. You may check
the answers to the exercises using the
Answer Key at the end of the module.

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 What I Have This includes questions or blank
Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled into
process what you learned from the
lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which

will help you transfer your new
knowledge or skill into real life
situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate

your level of mastery in achieving the
learning competency.
Additional In this portion, another activity will be
Activities given to you to enrich your knowledge or
skill of the lesson learned. This also
tends retention of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in

the module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any
part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other
activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through
with it.

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 If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do
not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind
that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful

learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You
can do it!

What I Need to Know

This module on Organic Agriculture 10 will be of great help to

the Technology and Livelihood Education students. This has been
conceptualized to equip them with the basic knowledge, skills, positive
values and attitudes toward planting/gardening activities. It provides
concepts necessary to equip them face the challenges ahead for this time of
pandemic. Lessons are prepared in such a way that it will respond to the
needs of teachers and students in this subject area.

The module has one Lesson and is divided into four learning outcomes,
namely:
 Lesson 1 – Prepare composting area and raw materials

 LO. 1 Select site based on compost fertilizer

production requirement

 LO. 2 Prepare site layout based on location

 LO. 3 Prepare bed according to production

requirements

 LO. 4 Gather materials for organic fertilizer based

on production requirements and PNS

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. The learner independently produces organic fertilizer;
2. The learner demonstrates an understanding of the basic concepts,
underlying theories and principles in producing organic fertilizer;

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 What I Know

TEST I. MULTIPLE CHOICE: Read the statement carefully and choose the
letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter in your activity notebook..

1. Is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more

than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified
organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.
a. organic farming
b. composting
c. site selection
d. organic production

2. Is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and

garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden.
a. composting
b. organic agriculturre
c. organic production
d. benefits of composting

3. Which of the choices does not belong to other requirements for compost
site selection.

a. Traffic patterns
b. Utility
c. Size
d. Water

4. Is a holistic system designed to create a harmonious relationship between

people and environment, farming and agroecosystem, including
protection of soil organisms, plants, and livestock.
a. composting
b. organic agriculture
c. organic production
d. composting system

5. Has negative impacts ecologically, economically and socially in increasing

agricultural production.
a. composting site was not properly selected/examined
b. used of chemicals
c. composting site was not properly designed
d. no composting system

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6. Listed below are the benefits of composting, except;
a. Enriches soil
b. Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers
c. Helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests.
d. Can cause major problems, both in the short and long term.

7. Listed below are the reason why composting.

a. to view the farm as a single system
b. provides a partial solution to an issue of great concern in many
communities.
c. provides a way not only of reducing the amount of waste that
needs to be disposed of, but also of converting it into a product
that is useful for gardening, landscaping, or house plants.
d. By addressing the solid waste issue.

8. Which of the statement listed below stated the best location for compost
bin.
a. in a reasonably sunny spot on bare soil
b. it makes it very easy for beneficial microbes and insects to gain
access to the rotting material
c. allows for better aeration and drainage, both important to
successful composting.
d. should be free from insects and nematodes.

9. Which of the following statement listed below does not belong to the
General Area Requirements of Site Selection?
a. Raw material storage
b. Truck queuing
c. Hjgh
d. Holding ponds

10. Statement listed below are the reason why compost heap be sited under
the tree, except;
a. because the pile will dry out slower
b. good for the materials in a cold place
c. compost and its leachates will be good for the tree
d. tree will grow roots up into the compost, and you'll need to keep
cutting them. On balance, it still should be good for the tree.

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TEST II. Identify the pictures bellow;

11. 12. 13.

14. 15.

LO.1 Select site based on compost fertilizer

production requirement

We need an increase of food production for the rapidly growing

population. But people consider only about increasing the quantity not the
quality. Chemicals used to increase agricultural production have negative
impacts ecologically, economically and socially. The best alternative for that
is using organic chemicals instead of inorganic fertilizers. Composting is
one way to produce manure in a green way domestically as well as large
scale Agriculture.

Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms

your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for
your garden. It's easy to make and use.

Pictures of the materials required in composting.

Leaves Manure Food Scraps Pet Bedding from

Herbivores

Dry Cat or Dog

Grass Clippings Brush Trimming Old Wine
Food
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 What’s In

Organic farming/agriculture is a method of crop and livestock

production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides,
fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.
Organic production is a holistic system designed to create a harmonious
relationship between people and environment, farming and agroecosystem,
including protection of soil organisms, plants, and livestock. The principal
goal of organic production is to develop enterprises that are sustainable and
consistent with a natural perpetuation of species and environment.

Organic agriculture is defined as a production system that is

managed to respond to site specific conditions by integrating cultural,
biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote
ecological balance and conserve biodiversity.

The fundamental principles of organic farming are as follows:

 to view the farm as a single system or "organism" that exists within

the context of a local ecosystem;
 to protect the balance of relationships within the farm’s own system,
as well as those existing between the farm’s system and the
surrounding ecosystem;
 to maintain a marked degree of biodiversity within the system, so as
to promote the control of parasites and destructive organisms;
 to encourage the biological cyclicity of the natural system, paying
particular attention to the cycle of organic substances, so as to
promote humification;
 to make maximum use of solar energy and to reduce the use of all
types of external input to an absolute minimum.

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 Notes to the Teacher
 Before you can start organic farming, you must first
have all the tools to be use

 You must know how to use these tools and

equipment properly.

 Mastery of the uses of these tools and equipment will

be of great help.

 Make an inventory of your tools after using.

 You can develop orderliness and cleanliness by

taking care of your farming tools.

This contains helpful tips or strategies that will help

you in guiding the learners.

x
 What’s New

New research has found that almost half of the food waste in
the average rubbish bin could have been composted. You can do your bit to
reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill or other more costly forms of
treatment by composting your food and garden waste at home.

We are often asked "Why do I need to compost - and why should

I worry when my local council does food waste collections?"

Activity 1.
Direction : In your activity notebook, answer the following questions briefly.
1. Why compost?
2. What are the benefits of composting?
3. How to select proper location for composting?

Ideas will be rated according to the scoring rubrics.

Content
The presence of ideas developed through facts, examples, anecdotes, details,
opinions, statistics, reasons, and or explanations
Excellent Substantial, specific, and or illustrative content demonstrating
4 strong development and sophisticated ideas.
Good Sufficiently developed content with adequate elaboration or
3 explanation.
Fair Limited content with inadequate elaboration or explanation.
2
Weak Superficial and/or minimal content.
1

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 What is It

Composting is a form of waste disposal where organic waste

decomposes naturally under oxygen-rich conditions. Composting is a topic
of growing interest in schools throughout the country. Why composting?
There are a number of reasons.
Composting provides a partial solution to an issue of great
concern in many communities. All around the country, landfills are
filling up, garbage incineration is becoming increasingly unpopular,
and other waste disposal options are becoming ever harder to find.
Composting provides a way not only of reducing the amount of
waste that needs to be disposed of, but also of converting it into a
product that is useful for gardening, landscaping, or house plants.
By addressing the solid waste issue, composting provides a way
of instilling in children a sense of environmental stewardship. Many
educational programs focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling our
solid wastes. Composting fits in with this idea but takes it a step
beyond.
With composting, children can do more than just sending cans or
newspapers off for recycling -- they can see the entire cycle, from
"yucky" food scraps or other organic wastes.... To something that is
pleasant to handle and is good for the soil. Contrary to the "out of
sight, out of mind" philosophy, children who compost become aware of
organic wastes as potential resources rather than just as something
"gross" to be thrown away and forgotten. They learn through direct
experience that they personally can make a difference and have a
positive effect on the environment.

Benefits of Composting
Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant
diseases and pests. Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Encourages
the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic
matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.

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Compost Site Selection
According to the Livestock Manure and Mortalities Management
Regulation:
15.1(1) No person shall compost livestock mortalities on the property of an
agricultural operation unless

1. The composting site is located at least 100m from

1. Any surface watercourse, sinkhole, spring or well, and
2. The operation's boundaries
2. The mortalities are composted in a manner that does not cause
pollution of surface water, groundwater or soil; and
3. The composting facilities and process are acceptable to the director
Incorrect compost site selection can cause major problems, both
in the short and long term.

Other Considerations in Site Selection

Size
All weather access road
Traffic patterns
Equipment
Utility
Bulking agent/cover material (storage and availability)
Surface and groundwater protection (site should be located on
compacted soil or impervious surface)
Future expansion
Aesthetics
Wind direction

General Area Requirements for Compost Site selection

 Depends on Compost technology (windrows or in vessel)
 Throughput
 Raw material storage

xiii
  Space for finished product
 Buffer areas (odour, noise, pollution control)
 Holding ponds
 Fire lane
 Truck queuing
 Vehicle parking
 Future expansion
 Biofilter (could be 50% of total surface area for composting)

Qualities of a good Compost site.

1. Compost should be dark brown in colour with profuse fire fangs.
2. Compost should have moisture percentage of about 68-70 percent.
3. pH of the compost should be in the range of 7.2-7.8.
4. There should not be any smell of ammonia.
5. It should not be sticky or greasy.
6. It should be free from insects and nematodes.

What is the best location for a compost bin?

Ideally site your compost bin in a reasonably sunny spot on
bare soil. The reason you should site your bin on soil is that it makes it very
easy for beneficial microbes and insects to gain access to the rotting
material. It also allows for better aeration and drainage, both important to
successful composting.

Why should a compost heap be sited under the tree?

In fact, it may be better, because the pile will dry out slower.
The compost and its leachates will be good for the tree. I don't know about
apples in particular, but the tree will grow roots up into the compost, and
you'll need to keep cutting them. On balance, it still should be good for the
tree.

What are the basic raw materials in composting?

The most common raw materials used to make compost are
yard wastes such as grass clippings, leaves, weeds, and small prunings from
shrubs and trees. Most home garden compost piles and municipal compost
facilities use yard wastes exclusively because of the large volume of
materials available.

xiv
 What’s More

True or False. Write T if the statement is correct and F if the statement if

wrong.

______ 1. Organic farmers are allowed to use grow chemical pesticides.

______ 2. The composting site is located at least 100m from any surface
watercourse, sinkhole, spring or well, and the operation's
boundaries.
______ 3. Future expansion is one of the consideration in composting site
selection.
______ 4. Composting will not provide any partial solution to an issue of
great concern in many communities.
______ 5. Composting is a form of waste disposal where organic waste
decomposes naturally under oxygen-rich conditions.

Activity 2. “Pick Me Up!”

Directions: Determine the following terms or phrases inside the box below
with regards on their appropriateness. Write them in the space
provided. ( Note : Use your activity notebook )

1. grass clippings 10. dry cat or dog food

2. There should not be any smell
of ammonia
3. located at least 100m from
any surface watercourse
4. It should not be sticky or
greasy
5. Leaves
6. It should be free from insects
and nematodes
7. allows for better aeration and
drainage
8. weeds
9. makes it very easy for
beneficial microbes and insects
to gain access to the rotting
material
11. The composting facilities and
process are acceptable to the
director
12. should be dark brown in colour
with profuse fire fangs
13. located at least 100m from
operations boundaries
14. food scraps
15. should have moisture
percentage of about 68-70
percent

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 A B C D
Materials needed Compost site Qualities of good Best location for
for composting selection compost site a compost bin

What I Have Learned

Organic Agriculture is a production system that sustains the

health of soils, ecosystems, and people. It relies on ecological processes,
biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of
inputs with adverse effects.

There are lots of good reasons to compost. It saves money,

saves resources, can help to improve your soil and can reduce your impact
on the environment. Did you know, composting at home for just one year
can save global warming gases equivalent to all the CO2 your kettle
produces annually, or your washing machine produces in three months?

It will have everything your plants need including nitrogen,

phosphorus and potassium and it will help buffer soils that are very acidic
or alkaline. Compost improves your soil's condition and your plants and
flowers will love it!

Your location of composting should be on a level area with good

soil drainage. Soils with poor drainage will slow-down the compost

xvi
 decomposition. It’s not always possible, but areas with filtered shade are
preferred. Also, avoid windy locations (or protect it from the wind). Windy
areas can dry out and decrease the compost pile’s temperature.

You should choose a location which is flat, well-drained and

sunny. Most importantly you should find a convenient location.

What I Can Do

This section provides an activity which will help you transfer your new
knowledge or skill into real life situations or concerns.

What I Can Do

Activity 3.
Instruction : Do these at home and take a picture of it for
documentation/evidence. Send the picture in our
GC for checking. Make these as a preparation for
our next topic.
1. In your home, collect all possible materials to be used in
composting and arrange it according to its kind.

2. Select the best location for composting based on the

standard/required.

xvii
 Assessment

TEST I. MULTIPLE CHOICE: Read the statement carefully and choose the
letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter in your activity notebook..

1. Is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more

than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified
organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.
a. organic farming
b. composting
c. site selection
d. organic production

2. Is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and

garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden.
a. composting
b. organic agriculturre
c. organic production
d. benefits of composting

3. Which of the choices does not belong to other requirements for compost
site selection.
a. Traffic patterns
b. Utility
c. Size
d. Water

4. Is a holistic system designed to create a harmonious relationship between

people and environment, farming and agroecosystem, including
protection of soil organisms, plants, and livestock.
a. composting
b. organic agriculture
c. organic production
d. composting system

5. Has negative impacts ecologically, economically and socially in increasing

agricultural production.
a. composting site was not properly selected/examined
b. used of chemicals
c. composting site was not properly designed
d. no composting system

xviii
6.) Listed below are the benefits of composting, except;

e. Enriches soil
f. Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers
g. Helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests.
h. Can cause major problems, both in the short and long term.

7. Listed below are the reason why composting.

e. to view the farm as a single system
f. provides a partial solution to an issue of great concern in many
communities.
g. provides a way not only of reducing the amount of waste that
needs to be disposed of, but also of converting it into a product
that is useful for gardening, landscaping, or house plants.
h. By addressing the solid waste issue.

8. Which of the statement listed below stated the best location for compost
bin.
e. in a reasonably sunny spot on bare soil
f. it makes it very easy for beneficial microbes and insects to gain
access to the rotting material
g. allows for better aeration and drainage, both important to
successful composting.
h. should be free from insects and nematodes.

9. Which of the following statement listed below does not belong to the
General Area Requirements of Site Selection?
e. Raw material storage
f. Truck queuing
g. Hjgh
h. Holding ponds

10. Statement listed below are the reason why compost heap be sited under
the tree, except;
b. because the pile will dry out slower
b. good for the materials in a cold place
e. compost and its leachates will be good for the tree
f. tree will grow roots up into the compost, and you'll need to keep
cutting them. On balance, it still should be good for the tre

xix
TEST II. Identify the pictures bellow;

11. 12.

13. 14.

15.

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 Additional Activities

Activity 4.
Instruction : In your activity notebook, Write the following being required ;

1. Differentiate organic farming from conventional farming

2. Proper site selection for composting as required.

xxi
 Answer Key

Pre-Test
1. A 6. D 11. leaves
2. A 7. A 12. manure
3. D 8. A 13. Grass clippings
4. C 9. C 14. Old wine
5. B 10. B 15. Food scraps

True or False
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. True

Activity 2
A. 1, 5, 8, 10, 14
B. 3, 11, 13
C. 2, 4, 6
D. 7, 9, 12

Post-Test
1. A 6. D 11. leaves
2. A 7. A 12. manure
3. D 8. A 13. Grass clippings
4. C 9. C 14. Old wine
5. B 10. B 15. Food scraps

xxii
References

 file:///C:/Users/user/Documents/TLE%20%20MODULES/Operation
al%20Manual%20Composting%20and%20IRRC_FINAL.pdf
 http://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-home/en/
 https://nifa.usda.gov/topic/organic-agriculture